My Experience with AF App
I downloaded the AF App because it was featured on the Play Store and I’m an Anytime Fitness member. Honestly, I was hoping for a simple tool to replace my plastic key tag and maybe book a class. After three days of poking around on my Galaxy S23, that’s exactly what it is, but not much more. The first thing I did was check the permissions. It wanted access to my precise location all the time, not just when the app was open. That set off alarm bells for me. I denied it and so far, the door scanner at my local club still works fine with just Bluetooth, which makes me wonder why they ask for so much. My main use case was last Tuesday evening after work. I was rushing and realized my key fob was on my kitchen counter. I opened the app, held my phone near the scanner, and the door clicked open. That single feature saved me a 20-minute drive back home. For that alone, the app has a permanent spot on my phone.
Features Worth Noting
The digital key is the star, no question. It uses Bluetooth and works reliably. The class booking system is straightforward; I booked a Saturday morning yoga session in about three taps. I also glanced at the workout logger. It’s a bare-bones tracker where you can punch in exercises, sets, and reps. I tried it during a quick shoulder workout and it functioned, but it didn’t feel intuitive. The “Challenges” tab has some community step goals which seem like a harmless way to add motivation. What I did appreciate was that the core functions—door access, booking, basic logging—are completely free for members. You don’t need to pay an extra subscription for the essentials, which is how it should be.
What Needs Work
The user experience feels dated and a bit sluggish. Scrolling through the workout library or switching tabs isn’t smooth. It doesn’t crash, but it stutters. Entering data into the workout log is frustrating. Tapping to add weight for each set feels slow; I gave up and used my phone’s notepad halfway through my session because it was faster. The design is functional but not polished. My bigger issue, though, is with the privacy policy. I read it. They collect a lot of data on your workout habits, location history (if you allow it), and device information. While they say it’s to “improve services,” it’s shared with affiliates and used for marketing. For an app whose main job is to open a door, that feels excessive.
Pricing
The app itself costs nothing. But let’s be real, it’s useless without an active Anytime Fitness membership. You can’t even open the door scanner screen without being logged into a valid account. So the price of admission is your monthly gym dues. Inside the app, they promote “Anytime Fitness+,” a paid tier with video workouts. I have no interest in that, so the constant little nudges to upgrade are just annoying screen clutter. For the free member features, you get what you pay for, which is basic access tools.
Developer Notes
The developer is listed as Anytime Fitness, LLC. Looking at the app store reviews, a common theme is bugs after updates and slow support responses. I haven’t had to contact them, but the feedback doesn’t inspire confidence. Updates seem to roll out regularly, but based on reviews, they sometimes break more than they fix. It has a 3.6-star rating, which perfectly matches my impression: it works, but barely, and clearly isn’t a priority for a polished experience. It feels like a corporate box-ticking exercise rather than a tool built for passionate members.
Security & Privacy
This is my biggest hang-up. The permission request for constant location tracking was a major red flag. The privacy policy confirms they gather extensive data on your gym visits, workout patterns, and more. They use it for “business purposes” and share it with third-party service providers. For a privacy-aware user like me, that’s a tough pill to swallow. I use a strong, unique password for my account and have denied all non-essential permissions. The door access seems secure on the surface—it needs Bluetooth and your logged-in account—but the data collection practices behind the scenes make me uncomfortable. I’ll keep it for the key function, but I’m very cautious about what I do inside the app.
How does the digital key feature work for door access?
The digital key uses Bluetooth to unlock your gym door. Just open the app, hold your phone near the scanner, and the door will click open. It saved me a 20-minute drive when I forgot my key fob.
Can I book classes and track workouts with this app?
Yes, you can book classes in just a few taps—I booked a Saturday yoga session in about three taps. There's also a workout logger for tracking exercises, sets, and reps, though it feels a bit bare-bones and not very intuitive.
Why does the app ask for my precise location all the time?
The app requests precise location access even when not in use, which can seem alarming. However, you can deny this permission and still use the door scanner with Bluetooth alone, so it's likely unnecessary for core functions.
The app feels sluggish and the workout logger is frustrating. Is there a fix?
The app can stutter when scrolling or switching tabs, and entering weight for each set feels slow. There's no built-in fix, but you can try closing background apps or restarting your phone; otherwise, it's a limitation of the current design.
How does AF App compare to other gym apps like Fitbod or Gymshark?
Unlike Fitbod or Gymshark, AF App focuses narrowly on Anytime Fitness membership essentials—door access, class booking, and basic logging—all for free. It lacks the polished workout plans and social features of competitors, but it's indispensable for members who need reliable keyless entry.
